Peter Nygard sentenced to over a decade for sexual assaults

Peter Nygard, the former fashion executive, received over a decade-long prison sentence for multiple sexual assaults.

The 83-year-old was found guilty last November of sexually assaulting five women in his Toronto office. Peter Nygard, who holds Finnish-Canadian nationality, used his influence and wealth to commit these crimes in a private suite on the top floor of his building.

Despite the lengthy sentence, Nygard will serve less than seven years due to time already served since his 2020 arrest, which was initiated by US authorities.

In court, Nygard wore a black Canada Goose jacket with a hood. Justice Robert Goldstein labelled him a “sexual predator” and described the case as a “Canadian story gone very wrong.”

Nygard relocated to Canada from Helsinki with his parents in 1952. When asked if he had any comments in court, he simply replied, “no sir.”

His legal team indicated plans to appeal the conviction and sentence. He was acquitted of a fifth sexual assault charge and one count of forcible confinement.

During the six-week trial, the court heard distressing testimonies from the women. Four of them were in their 20s during the assaults, which occurred between the 1980s and 2005. One victim was just 16 at the time.

Justice Goldstein stated that a lenient punishment due to Nygard’s age would imply immunity for older men committing such crimes and signal that wealth and power can delay judgement indefinitely.

Peter Nygard was arrested in late 2020 at the request of the US, where he faces accusations of using his business to exploit women and girls. He was charged by Toronto police a year later and also faces charges in Manitoba and Quebec. He is resisting extradition to the US, where he would face federal charges.

Nygard’s son, Kai Bickle, an informant in the investigation since 2019, spoke about his father’s sentencing. He mentioned that his father used money to silence accusers and conceal his crimes for many years.

The investigation also brought attention to Prince Andrew, who once visited Nygard in the Bahamas. The Duke of York faced renewed calls to speak with FBI investigators after Nygard’s conviction.

Prince Andrew visited Nygard’s Bahama compound in 2000, shortly after Nygard settled out of court with three employees who accused him of sexual harassment. There are no allegations of wrongdoing against Prince Andrew.